Today marks the second school closure/city closure for "inclement weather" this year. Other than actual hurricanes, this marks the first time Houston has been closed for weather in years. Sadly, we got maybe an inch or so of ice on Friday and some sleet today. No snow, nothing to play with. It's all very frustrating for the girls. What's really funny is that is was snowing when I was working in Tennessee last week and sleeting the week before in Alabama. Needless to say, I was freezing. FREEZING. Taking the advice of the internets and colleagues from colder climates (a.k.a. everywhere other than Houston), I purchased fleece lined tights and leggings (sadly sold out now) for my next business trip. OH MY SO WARM. So incredibly warm. I might have also purchased extra gloves for my carry-on since I left mine in the car last trip. I am ready for my next trip to the frozen tundra...er, colder climates. I might even be ready for my next trip to Chicago! Highly recommend!

I was going to do a year in review, or a list of Favorites, or something "bloggery,"but, really? Who are we kidding? Set an attainable goal- so, how about 12 things I learned this year? Yup. Can do. In no particular order.

1) Chalk pen does NOT. I repeat, does NOT come off of a chalkboard wall. Yup, tried that and that. Trust. I tried everything. I finally painted over it. All those people with cutesy-Pinteresty-chalkboards using chalk pens?- I call BS that they ever change them.

2) My daughter is an even bigger Longhorn fan than I am. Her Longhorn fervor pleases me to no end. She's 7 and can name everyone on the football team. Watching football games with her is an absolute riot.

3) Having two kids in soccer is exhausting. They are only 7 and 9. And, y'all, soccer season WORE us all out. Here, there, chairs, snacks, uniforms, and cleats. Oy.

4) Good wine is worth it.

5) Any getaway is totally worth it.

6) Do not trust Apple when they tell you that all the photos you've taken, but haven't synced because of a software issue with your phone, will be available after they guru it. Lies.

7) I finally got the hang of blow drying my own hair. this is truly red-letter news. It took me a ridiculously long time and tons of practice to figure it out-thank you to youtube and Jodifur (buy any hair thing she recommends).

8) I'm addicted to sheath dresses. They are my kryptonite.

9) Long and short of it- I'm glad Mack is gone. It was past time. I won't deny he brought the program back to national prominence (I lived through Mackovic), but, this is Texas, and there is no reason we shouldn't be national contenders every year. Don't even get me started on QB issues...My personal pick, Gus Malzahn seems to be out of consideration. Nobody ever asks my opinion-hmph!

10) At one point this Fall, our garage hosted a deer head in a cooler and a dead frozen badger in our freezer. Sadly neither surprised me.

12) I hacked the heck out of Ikea and stalked Craigslist like a champ. As a result, I am thisclose to having the awesomest Liberace Lounge/Funky Family Room ever. SO close. (Thanks, Emily for all the consults!)

Anyone who knows me knows I am a feminist. I love TV shows and movies with strong, successful female characters. I wasn't sure about Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) joining the case of "Scandal," but her character is nothing like Phoebe. She's all about politics and kicking a**. So, pretty much awesome.

Exhibit A:

I might have even said 'Hell, yes," aloud to my TV when that aired last week.

I'm still yawning from trying to watch the Texas v TCU game on Saturday-Sunday. Slowclaps for both teams-playing after a 3 hour rain delay. Half-time was a commercial break. But, if half-time was as good as this OSU show (one of many on youtube-that's a fun rabbit hole to follow), they would have to have a full show! Enjoy.

Y'all. I LOVE these so hard. So hard that I had to exert an amazing amount of self-control to only buy a few trays for our house. They are a combo of everything I love- Texas, whimsy, a deal, and all around rad.

How perfect are they? I can't wait until the bedding comes out. I will be buying entire sets. Oh, yes, I will. Biscuit has these two patterns in lots of different tray sizes and ice buckets, very reasonably priced as well. Even more reasonably priced with the Houston Cancer Society Shopping Card-20% off. Yee-haw. I may go back for more...Yup, definitely going back.

Ladies, put your applications down. I won the "Mother of the Year" contest. I'm that mom, the one who got her daughter all excited about a sleepover party and arrived...a week early. Awesome. I guess now we are all ready for the party, when it eventually happens?

In my defense, I have been traveling a lot. And, evites are harder to remember than an actual invite. And, well...yeah.

About Me

Wife, mother to two darling daughters, daughter, sister with a Wonder Woman complex. I try to do it all and manage to do, well...some of it. This is my space for thoughts, goals, and musings. I'm obsessed with Texas Longhorn football, decorating,crafts, photography, fashion, and popular culture.
Photo by the extremely talented Karen, www.chookooloonks.com